MOUNT VERNON — An armed robber got away with an unspecified amount of money from the North Point Marathon station on North Sandusky Street early Monday morning, according to Detective Sgt. Jeff Jacobs of the Mount Vernon Police Department.

A call came in to the police department at about 12:10 a.m. Monday when a female attendant said she was struck in the face by a robber who then fled after taking money from the store’s cash register.

Gretchen Stump of Mount Vernon has worked the night shift at North Point for six years and she was on duty as usual when the robbery occurred.

“It was 12:05,” she said. “And it was at gunpoint. I thought he was joking at first but, yeah, he was serious. I didn’t move fast enough and he did hit me. But I gave him the money. I threw it at him.”

Stump said owner Gary Hamilton’s instructions for handling a situation like this are simple and to the point.

“Give them everything they want,” she said. “That’s what he tells us. The store’s not worth it. But I hope they catch this [guy]. People shouldn’t have to worry about going to work because of stupid people like this. I’m OK physically. I’m still a little sore. But it messes with you. Because of it I’m no longer working night shift.”

Hamilton gave Stump the week off with pay and reassigned her to the first shift of the day.

“I’m not going to put myself in that situation again,” she added. “And that’s what sucks is that some idiot like this has to change my life. I have kids that do sports and I’m busy with them and want to continue to be busy with them. That’s why I worked midnights. It was convenient to me not to have to miss any of their sports events.”

Store surveillance video shows a white male disguised in sunglasses and gloves asking the attendant to open the cash drawer. Jacobs said it is difficult to come up with a physical description including the suspect’s height and weight, at this point. The footage is to be analyzed through digital equipment at Organized Crime in Columbus in order to come up with a better chance for identification.

The incident remains under investigation.

Stump said while she will return to work next week during the daylight hours she considers herself fortunate.

“I guess I’m lucky,” she said. “I’m still here to be involved. It’s messing with me now but I won’t continue to be a victim.”

Anyone with information regarding the robbery is encouraged to call Jacobs at 393-9536.